Washtub



Jun 17, 1930.` J, s MERMlGls 1,763,803

WASHTUB Filed Jan. 4, 1929 -ATTORNEY Patented June 17, 1930 Unire STATES JAMES S. MERMIGIS, OF KANSAS CITY, KANSAS wAsH'rUB Y Application filed January 4, 1929. Serial No. 330,311.

My invention relates to laundry apparatus and more particularly to laundry tubs, the principal object of the invention being to provide an economical and durable unit for washing small articles of wearing apparel and the like as well as delicate fabrics.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a tub with means for rigidly supporting a wash board yet permitting ready 10 removal thereof for cleaning the tub, to mount a wash board in firm engagement with walls of the tub, to support an inclined wash board firmly in a tub in spaced relation with the bottom thereof and to provide for 15 enforcement of the engagement between the board and the tub under pressure due to use of the board.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a detail perspective view of a laundry tub and wash board embodying my invention and supported on a stand.

Fig. 2 is a central vertical longitudinal section of the device.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section of the wash board and tub on the line 3 3, Fig. 2, "D illustrating the means for slidably mounting the board in the tub.

Referring in detail to the drawings:

1 designates my improved tub formed preferably of sheet metal and comprising a bottom 2, side walls 3 converging downwardly and end walls 4 which also may converge downwardly to the bott-om.

A wash board 5 formed preferably of hard AO wood and having a corrugated upper surface 6 is mounted in inclined position in spaced relation with one of the end walls and with its lower horizontal edge 7 in spaced relation with the bottom of the tub as indicated 45 at 8, and having beveled side edges 9 tapering toward the lower edge 7 substantially complementarily to the converging side walls of the tub. The lower edge of the board is wider than the width of the bottom,

59 whereby the board will be stopped upon plate-like bodies 12 are mounted in an 1nclined position on the side walls of the tub and secured thereto by means such as rivets 13, and having inwardly projecting flanges 14 for slidably receiving the grooved edges of the board.

A soap retaining and board spacing member 15 is mounted on the tub at the end to which the board is related for spacing the upper end of the board from the adjacent end ofthe tub and comprises an arcuate sheet of metal having one edge 16 engaged with the upper edge portion of the tub end, and preferably permanently fixed thereto by suit-able means such as welding, and a bead 17 on its front or free edge for receiving a bolt or rod 18 extending through the side walls at the upper edges thereof for supporting the retainer.

The guides are so positioned with reference to the retainer thatthe wash board, when mounted on the guides and slidably moved thereon to functioning position, will have its upper edge resting against the bead portion of the soap retainer for additionally supporting the board and particularly for bracing the intermediate portion of the upper edge thereof.

A stand 19 is preferably provided for supporting the tub, and is constructed of angle iron, including a rectangular frame 2O having inwardly directed horizontal flanges 21 and upstanding vertical flanges 22 secured to the upper ends of legs 23 which diverge downwardly to form a substantial support for the tub. Side braces 24 and end braces 25 fixed to the legs and frame by rivets 26 add -furthertothe stability ofthe stand. CastersV 2T may be mounted in the legs to facilitatemoving of the device.

A suitable drain opening S28 is provided in the bottom of the tub at the opposite end from the soap retainer and an out-let pipe 29 is secured to the bottom of the tub as by welding at the opening and having a cut-off valve therein for controlling flow of liquid from the tub. A stopper 31 may be further provided for closing the drain opening.

The soap retainer is perfor-ate, and is also provided with an enlarged opening 32 for receiving a hose for directing a stream of water into the end of the tub beneath the board.

Grips 33 may also be attached to each end of the tub to facilitate removal of the tub from the stand or for removing the unit from one position to another.

In using the device the tub is mounted on the stand and the board is slidably moved over the guide rails into firm engagement with the walls of the tub with the lower edge of the board in spaced relation with the bottom of the tub and the upper edge engaging the forward bead of the soap retainer which is supported by the transverse rod mounted. in the side walls of the tub.

The board is thus relatively rigidly supported. Downward pressure thereon in the washing of fabrics is principally7 directed against the guide members secured to the side walls but will tend to move the board slidably on the rails for more firmly engaging the tapering edges of the board with the converging walls of the tub.

The slidable movement of the board on the guide rails is thus limited to assure spacing of the lower edge of the board from the' bottom of the tub so that liquid draining through the soap retainer may pass forwardly over the bottom of the tub and soapy liquid will therefore move into the portion of the tub into which the articles being washed are moved.

The larger opening in the soap retainer provides for inserting the nozzle of' a3 hose for rinsing and cleaning the tub when the board is in position. The board may easily be removed from the guide rails, the spacing thereof from the bottom permitting application of force to the lower edge for effecting the removal.

The simple construction ot the unit per-` mits economy in the manufacture thereof whereby a unit that is substantially indestructible and adapted for convenient use may be provided at a relatively low price.

'Vhat I claim and desire to secu-re by Letters Patent is:

I. In' combi-nation with a tub including a bottom and side walls converging toward the bottom., a wash board located in an inclined position transversely in the tub in spaced relation with the bottom to form a passage and having side edges tapering conforma'bly tosaid side walls for engaging the same and a lower edge wider than said bottom for limiting downward movement of the board in the tub to space the board from the bottom.

2. In combination with a tub including a bottom and side walls converging towardl the bottom', a wash board having side edges tapering conformably to said side walls for engaging the same, and a lower edge wider than said bottom for limiting downward movement of the board in the tub and means fixed to the tub for limiting lateral movement of the board in tub-engaged position.

3. A laundry device comprising a tub including opposite downwardly converging si dc wall portions, a bottom, guide rails fixed to said portions, and a. perforate drain shelf fixed to the tub and having a front edge located adjacent said portions at the upper edge of the tub, and a wash board having tapering side edges provided with grooves `for slidable mounting onthe guide rails in frictional engagement with the side wa'll portions, the board having a' width at its lower edge equal to the spacing of the side wall portions at a level spaced from their lower edges to limit downward movement of the board in the tub for seating the board with its lower edge in spaced relation with the bottom of the tub to form a passage beneath the board and its upper edge portion in engagement with said front edge of the drain shelf.

'l. In a device of the character described, a tub including end walls. a bottom, and downwardly converging side Walls, a soap shelf extending inwardly horizontally from the upper edge' of the rear end wall of the' tub, guides on the side walls extending foi"- wardly downwardly from positions adjacent the front edge of the shelf,- and a wash board movable on said guides in contact with the front edge of the shelf, the board having side edges tapering conformably to said side walls and engaging the same when the' board is in an inclined position on said guides with its upper edge portion' engaging the shelf a'n'd its lower edge spaced from the bottom' of the tub to produce a passage over the bottom between the spaces in front of' and behind the board. y

In testimony wl'iereof I atiix my sijznatiue'. 

